Individuals’ forced detention because of their opinions or the expression of their opinions is a clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by international human rights law.
In this context, the case of Saudi journalist Saeed Al-Shahrani stands out, as he approaches his sixth year in prison without a trial or an official announcement of his whereabouts.
Al-Shahrani was arrested in December 2019 without an arrest warrant or legal procedure and was taken since then to an unknown location. Since then, his family or lawyer have not been allowed to communicate with him, and no official details have been provided about the reasons for his arrest or his charges.
Although the authorities have not disclosed the reasons for his arrest, it is likely that it was due to posts and videos he shared on social media that were perceived to criticise some of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s policies.
Al-Shahrani’s continued enforced disappearance reflects Saudi Arabia’s increasing punitive measures against independent and opposition voices, and it contradicts the Kingdom’s international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirms the right of individuals to free opinion and expression.
Enforced disappearance is also a serious violation of human dignity, as it causes great anxiety for families and denies detainees basic rights.
Arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances endanger society as a whole, instilling fear and undermining trust in the rule of law. This requires serious and effective action by the international community to pressure the Saudi authorities to reveal Al-Shahrani’s fate and release him, and to ensure their commitment to international legal and human rights standards.
